Optical absorption cell



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OPTICAL ABSORPTION CELL Filed Jan. 14, 1947 W #QJ Patented Feb. 7, 1950 ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OPTICAL ABSORPTIN CELL Application January 14, 1947, Serial No. 722,040

11 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of analysis of chemical composition and more particularlyyto improved apparatus for inter-changing samples to be tested in the path of a beam of radiation used in the analysis.

In instruments such as spectrophotometers, it is customary to transmit radiation as a beam along a predetermined path through a s ample region and then to dispose a sample of a chemical composition in the beam thereby modifying the beam in some manner according to the nature of the chemical composition and to measure a resulting change in the character of the radiation to determine the nature of the sample.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for inter-changing fluid samples in a beam of such an analytical instrument.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus comprising a plurality of gassample cells, together with means for selectively positioning any one of the sample cells in the path of a beam used in the analysis.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus comprising an arrangement of two gas-sample cells, one of which may be selectively positioned in the path oi a beam, and another of which may be filled with a second sample While tests are being made upon the sample in the rstcell.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus comprising a sample cell with an arrangement of tubes which serve for rotatably supporting the sample cell into and out of a beam and for supplying samples to the sample cell.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sample cell which is supported for movement into andV out of a beam and which is arranged for continuously sampling a fluid owing in a line to be tested.

Other objects of this invention, together with numerous advantages thereof, will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals in the several views refer to identical parts:

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly schematic and partly in section, illustrating an analytical apparatus incorporating features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the apparatus taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan View, partly in Bti section, of another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative embodiment employing serially-connected cells.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an analytical apparatus in the form of a spectrophotometer embodying the features of this invention. This apparatus includes a source I I of radiation and a iirst optical system I 2 represented by a i-lrst lens which serves to project radiation from the source along a predetermined path I4 to a second optical system in the form of a monochromator I5 represented by the second lens I6 and a prism Il which directs radiation to a suitable radiation detector I3. The first optical system I2 may include any suitable elements for limiting the radiation projected along the path I4 to a predetermined wavelength band, if desired. Likewise, the monochromator I5 comprises any suitable combination of elements including a dispersing element, such as the prism Il, for directing only selected radiation to the detector I8, if desired. Likewise, in ther alternative, the radiation detector I8 may be of any suitable type which is selectively responsive only to radiation in a predetermined wave-length band. A suitable device I 9 connected to the detector I 8 is used to measure the intensity or other characteristic of theA radiation reaching the detector.

In any event, a sample testing compartment 2D having entrance and exit windows 22 and 23 respectively disposed along the path I4 is located between the two optical systems I2 and I 5. Generally speaking, the sample testing compartment 2tI illustrative of the present invention comprises a sample holder including two substantially identical gas-sample cells 25 which are arranged to be supplied with dierent gas samples, and also comprises a sample-shifting mechanism 21 which is capable of interposing either of the cells 25 in the path of the beam I4 in order to analyze those gas samples and for withdrawing both of the cells therefrom, if desired.

Each of the gas-sample cells is in the form of a glass cylindrical tube 23 of the same size and having a larger internal diameter than the largest cross-sectional dimension of the beam. Each tube 2B is closed at its ends 29 by means of windows transparent to the radiation. Each of these windows 3i] is hermetically sealed at the corresponding end of the tube 23 to which it is attached by means of an inner clamping ring 32 and anouter clamping ring 33 suitably held together by means of bolts 34. To assure hermetic sealing of the windows 3l) to the tubes 28, the ends of the tubes are provided with outwardly directed flanges 3o and the ends of the tubes are ground at. A gasket of amalgamated lead or other suitable material may be disposed between the window and the flat ground opposing surface if required to eiiectuate the seal. Also annular rings 3Q of elastic material are locked in place between the inner clamping rings 32 oi the flange 36.

The two tubes 28 are rigidly secured together by means or transverse glass rods il?. and 53 disposed adjacent opposite ends thereof and by means of two l..-shaped tubes l5 mechanically joined at their corners. These tubes l5 provide connecting passages between the chambers il? in the respective cells 2c and externa-l gashandling apparatus, as more fully described hereinbelow.

The two gas-sample cells 25 are arranged with their axes parallel and the two tubes 5 terminate in outwardly-facing female ball-joint elcments 49 and 5@ at opposite ends of an axis of rotation 52 arranged parallel to the axes of the two cells and below the path la of the beam. The sample holder is supported for rotation about this axis g -by means of tube leads 54 and which are provided with male ball-joint elements 5? and 58 complementary to the respective female ball-joint elements lll and 5b at the ends of the two l.shaped tubes 45 mentioned. By rotating the sample holder about this axis 52, either sample cell 25 may be moved into the path iii. The associated ball-joint elements at opposite ends of the sample holder form ball and socket couplings and Sli about which the sample holder is rotatable and through which gas samples may be introduced into the gassample cells 25 and removed therefrom.

The tube lead 5ft is rigidly secured to the floor of the compartment by means of a block @l and terminates at its inner end in a vertically'rlsing section SQ upon which its ball-joint element 5l is elbowed. rhis tube lead 5i! extends outwardly through a coupling @il in the wall ofthe i compartment 2li. The other u-be lead is pivotally supported about its length in a block 55 on the door of the compartment and terminates in a vertically rising section upon which its ball-joint element 5S is elbowed. IThe latter tube lead 55 rotatably connected by means of a balljoint t5 to a nxed tube lead le passing through a coupling it in the wall of the compartment. The two rising sections E52 and 58 of the respective tube leads 5c and are normally urged i together, to seal the ball-joints formed by the ball-joint elements associated therewith, by means of a. coil spring i3 connected between the rotatable tube lead 55 and the far wall of the compartment. Longitudinal movement of the tube lead 55 is prevented by means of a guide block 'la clamped upon this tube lead and provided with a notch l5 which engages a Din ica rising from the door of the compartment 2S.

Gas samples are introduced into and removed from one ef the gas-sample test cells 25 'through the L-shaped tubing l5 connected thereto and the stationary tube lead 5e in communication therewith by suitable manipulation of external gas-handling apparatus connected to this tube lead. In a similar manner, gas samples may be introduced into and removed from the other gas-sample test cell 25 through the L-shaped tubing i5 connected thereto and the xed tube lead l@ which communicates with the chamber in this gas-sample test cell through the rotatable tube lead 55.

The cylinders 2t and the two l -shaped tubes 5,5 and the two tube leads 515i and and the xed tube lead 'i8 and also the ball and socket couplings 5S and 5t, may conveniently be constructed entirely of glass to gain the advantages of transparency and chemical inert-ness characteristic of this material.

The mechanism for moving the cells 25 into and out of alignment with 'the path Eil of the beam includes a semi-circular journalled in the wall oi the compartment 25 directly beneath. the path lll and attached by means of a shaft 'I8 to the gas-sample holder coaxially with' the ball and socket couplings 59 and 6G about which the gas-sample holder rotates. The shaft it is coaxial with the axis 52 and carries within the compartment 2Q a sectored disc 8l) having an arm 82 extending therefrom and rigidly secured to the transverse rod 42. The disc 8o is provided with three notches S4, 35, and 86 on the periphery thereof which are arranged to selectively engage a plunger 88 pushed upwardly from the floor of the compartment by means of a suitably arranged spring 89.

The two notches 34 and. SS are located diametrically opposite the axes of the cells 25 relative to the axis of rotation 52 so that one or the other of the gas cells 25' is located in the path l when one oi these two notches engages the plunger 83. The remaining notch is located upon the sectored disc 8E midway between the other two notches ed and il@ so that when it engages the plunger 33 the two cells are held withdrawn from the beam in neutral positions. The gas-sample holder is moved from one position to another by means of a rack Ell which engages the semi-circular gear il and which is operated by means of an operating rod $3 extending horizontally through the wall of the compartment 2li.

In order tor analyze a series of gas samples with this apparatus, samples are introduced one at a time into the two cells '5 and the respective cells disposed upon the path lll one at a time. In using this apparatus, the change in the intensity of the radiation transmitted through the sample in one of the cells 25 is measured by means of the device i9 while that cell is located on the path i4 of the beam. While this .measurement is being made, the other cell 25 is evacuated and another of the samples introduced into. the latter cell. Subsequently, when the .measurements on. the rst sample are comjpleted and the second sample is in place within the second cell, the operating rod 93 is manipulatedV to remove the rst cell. from the path l5 of the beam and to replace it by the other cell containing the second sample. The second sample is then tested and, at the same time, the `rst sample replaced by a third sample and so on until all of the samples in the series have been tested.

With this apparatus, the entire operation of testing a series of samples is accelerated by virtue of the fact that one sample cell can be filled with a new sample while the sample in the other cell is being' tested. Accuracy in comparison of the samples is readily achieved by making the cells of parts which are as nearly alike as possible.

In applying this invention to analyses of chemical compositions by the methods of infrared spectrophotometry, a source Il of radiation richy in the infra-red region is utilized and a monochromator I is designed to selectively direct radiation of a narrow wavelength band of such radiation to the detector I8. In analyzing a chemical mixture with this apparatus by one method of infra-red spectrophotometry, a sample of the mixture to be analyzed is introduced into one of the gas-sample cells and the reduction in the intensity of radiation directed to the detector i8 measured at a series of wavelengths with that sample located on the path I4. Also a similar series of measurements is made at such wavelengths with samples of the individual components of such mixture. The results of such measurements are then analyzed mathematically to determine the composition of the mixture. In making such measurements, the intensity of the beam transmitted along the path I4 with both of the gas-sample cells withdrawn therefrom, is measured at each of the wavelengths in question and used as a standard against which other -1 measurements may be compared. In another method of operation, one of the gas-sample cells 25 is evacuated and moved onto the path I4 and the intensity of radiation at the respective wavelengths in question measured as a basis for comparison. When using the latter procedure, compensation is automatically introduced for any loss of radiation at the windows 22 and 23 of the cell 25. Similar procedures are applicable to other types of analysis.

In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, a single sample cell 95 of the type hereinabove described is supported between the two ball and socket couplings v59 and B0 by L-shaped tubes 9S and S1 adjacent opposite ends thereof. With this arrangement uid to be tested may be owed into the sample cell 95 through one of tbe tube leads 54, one of the ball and socket couplings 59. and one of the L-shaped tubes 96.A and out of it through the other L-shaped tube 91, the other ball and socket coupling Sil, the tube lead 55. and the fixed tube lead 10. This arrangement facilitates lling of the sample cell with liquid as well as gas samples. This arrangement also permits continuous feeding of samples into the sample cell 95 from a line in which a chemical mixture of changing composition is owing. If desired. a blank cell Q8 may be arranged on the sampling apparatus to facilitate standardizing tbe measurements, such a blank cell being evacuated or lled with a standard gas mixture when gas samples are to be tested in the sample cell Q5 or iilled with` an inert or a standard liquid when liriuid samples are to be tested in the sample cell B5. Inasmuch as the contents of this blank cell are changed infrequently, this is most conveniently accomplished through two tubes 9S and I 'lil sealed in its outer side and closed by any suitable means. not shown.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the diagram matically shown arrangement is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that sample cells of diierent length are used with an arrangement for a stream of fluid to be passed therethrough serially. Thus, a longer sample cell H and a shorter sample cell Imi are mounted substantially as the two cells in Fig. 1. A diagonal tubing I'i interconnects the cells i135 and IIlE and permits a iiuid to flow continuously through these cells in series. as indicated by arrows Hi8. This is advantageous where it is desired to test samples of diiTerent length without interrupting the flow of iiuid. Either of the cells 105, IliEi or any larger number of similar cells in the same clustered arrangement can be swung individually into the beam of radiation.

While the present invention has been described with particular reference to the analysis of chemical compositions by optical methods, it is to be understood that it is likewise applicable to other types of measuring systems in which a beam is transmitted along a predetermined path. For example, similar procedures to those hereinbefore described may be readily adapted. where use is made of a beam of elementary particles `which are projected from a source to a detector. Accordingly, it is to be understood that where a reference is made in the claims to a beam of radiation, this expression is to be interpreted in a broad. sense in which radiation is composed either of waves or particles which are capable of being modified in intensity, or otherwise, by a sample through which they pass. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to the various details of the apparatus and test pron cedures described in detail hereinabove, and it is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

l. In an. apparatus for testing a iluid sample by means of a beam of radiation transmitted along a predetermined path from a radiation source to a radiation detector, the combination of: a hollow sample cell providing a window means transparent to said radiation; a pair of supporting means for supporting said sample cell for pivotal movement about an axis adjacent said path, said supporting means being spaced along said axis, one of said supporting means comprising a tubing communicating with the interior of said sample cell and through which a iiuid sample may be transferred ybetween the interior of the cell. and the exterior; and means operatively connected to said sample cell for moving said sample cell about said axis between a position in which said window means is in said beam and a position in which said window means is outside of said beam.

2. In an apparatus for testing a iiuid sample by means of a beam of radiation transmitted along a predetermined path from a radiation source to a radiation detector, the combination of: a hol low supporting member disposed to one side of the axis of said beam and providing a pivot axis; a sample cell providing a tube communicating with the interior thereof, said sample cell having a window means transparent to said radiation; and a bali and socket joint for journalling said tube relative to said hollow supporting member to swing said sample cell from one position to another into and from the beam about said pivot axis to move said window means into and from said beam, said joint including passage means communicating between said hollow supporting member and said tube when said cell is in at least one of said positions to permit transfer of fluid through said passage means.

3. In an apparatus for testing a uid sample by means of a beam of radiation transmitted along a predetermined path from a radiation source to a radiation detector, the combination of: a sample holder including a pair of windowed sample cells spaced from a pivot axis disposed to one side of said beam of radiation, tubes re spectively extending Irom said cells and a pair of hollow journalling means spaced along said axis and to which said tubes are xedly connected; and hollow supporting means spaced ammo 9 unitary movement about said pivot axis to move said window means of said cells selectively into said beam, said inwardly-facing joint elements and said outwardly-facing joint elements having passages communicating with each other and with said cells; means for mounting one of said inwardly-facing ball-joint elements to move in a direction toward and away from the other of said inwardly-facing ball-joint elements whereby movement of said elements from each other permits removal of said sample cells and said out- Wardly-facing ball-joint elements as a unit; and means for holding said inwardly-facing joint elements in journalling contact with said outwardly-facing ball-joint elements.

HENRY H. CARY.

KENYON P. GEORGE.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

